U.S. patent number 5,447,249 [Application Number 08/200,579] was granted by the patent office on 1995-09-05 for interengaging containers.
Invention is credited to Robert V. Vickers.
United States Patent |
5,447,249 |
Vickers |
September 5, 1995 |
Interengaging containers
Abstract
A container for the sale of edible foods which, when empty, can
be combined with other containers to serve as a children's toy.
Each container has top and bottom ends and a laterally extending
flange at the top end. The container has respective, mutually
interlocking connection parts comprising pegs and complementary
openings or recesses which enables a plurality of containers to be
assembled together. The openings or recesses are in the flange and
the pegs are on the bottom of the container, and the openings
impart a clamping force on the pegs when two containers are
interengaged so that the containers fit tightly together.
Inventors: |
Vickers; Robert V. (Chagrin
Falls, OH) |
Family
ID: |
25476102 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/200,579 |
Filed: |
February 22, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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941208 |
Sep 4, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.83;
206/511; 220/23.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
81/361 (20130101); A63H 33/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
81/36 (20060101); B65D 81/00 (20060101); B65D
081/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/23.83,23.4,23.6
;206/509,511,512 ;446/77,76,117,120,74,73,116 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1513472 |
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Feb 1968 |
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FR |
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2276236 |
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Jan 1976 |
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FR |
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2414348 |
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Aug 1979 |
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FR |
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2429163 |
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Jan 1980 |
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FR |
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2727461 |
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Jan 1979 |
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DE |
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Primary Examiner: Castellano; Stephen J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Vickers, Daniels & Young
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 941,208, filed Sep.
4, 1992.
Claims
Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:
1. A container assembly comprising a primary container having top
and bottom ends, said top end of said primary container having a
laterally outwardly extending flange, said flange and bottom end
having respective mutually interengaging connection means
interconnecting with an identical secondary container, said
connection means at one of said flange and bottom end of said
primary container clampingly interengaging with said connection
means at the other of said flange and bottom end of said secondary
container when said primary container and said secondary container
are assembled, said connecting means including an opening through
said flange, and said flange having at least one slot adjacent to
said opening for radial expansion of said opening.
2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said flange has an
outer periphery, and said opening includes a recess in said flange
connecting said opening and said outer periphery.
3. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein said flange has upper
and lower sides and said recess includes a recess wall tapering
downwardly and inwardly from said upper side toward said lower
side.
4. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein said flange includes
notches in said outer periphery located on peripherally opposite
sides of said recess.
5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said connecting means
further includes a plurality of pegs extending from said bottom end
of said container, said opening is circular in shape, and said slot
is an expansion slot adjacent said opening.
6. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one
slot includes a pair of arcuate expansion slots on diametrically
opposite sides of said opening.
7. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein said circular opening
has an inner periphery and a lip extending and projecting radially
inwardly from said inner periphery.
8. A primary container comprising top and bottom ends, said top and
bottom ends for interconnecting with at least one secondary
container having top and bottom ends, said primary and said
secondary container having respective mutually interengaging
connection means at said top and bottom ends, each said container
cooperating to provide a means for providing a clamping force on
said connection means, said connection means at one of said top and
bottom ends of said primary container clampingly interengaging with
said connection means at the other of said top and bottom ends of
said secondary container when said containers are assembled, said
top end connection means of said primary container comprising at
least one opening for clampingly interengaging with said bottom end
connection means of said at least one said secondary container and
said bottom end connection means of said primary container
comprising at least one peg for interengaging with another
secondary container, said means for providing a clamping force
including said opening having an inner peripheral edge and said
opening having a lip extending radially inwardly from said inner
peripheral edge, said lip having an inner diameter, said peg having
a diameter equal to or slightly greater than said inner diameter
whereby said clamping force is provided when said peg is
interengaged with said opening, said primary container including
means for allowing expansion of said opening upon interengagement
with said peg, said top end of said primary container including a
flange having a periphery, said means for providing expansion
including providing each said opening on said periphery.
Description
The present invention relates to an improvement for a container
which can be used for the sale of foods and other items and
subsequently used as a toy or building system.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Young et al 5,054,617, Young et al 4,919,268, Pinkau et al
4,067,475 and Parker et al 3,303,965 are incorporated by reference
herein so that background container systems known in the art need
not be described in detail herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a number of different containers of varying geometric
configurations, including cylindrical and box-like containers used
for the sale of food products including yogurt. These containers
are typically made of disposable material and after having been
emptied, are thrown away. Certain attempts have been made to find
another useful purpose for the single use containers. The Young
patents and Pinkau disclose food containers, which, when empty,
serve as an assembly construction kit for children. In such an
assembly, a number of containers are provided with interengageable
connection parts in order that a structure comprised of a number of
the containers can be constructed.
Young et al 5,054,617 and Young et al 4,919,268 are directed to
containers which can be later used in conjunction with other
similar containers, as a construction kit. The containers disclosed
in Young include connection parts comprised of holes, projections
and a cruciform; the holes located adjacent but spaced within a
peripheral flange. The projections of one container are designed to
fit within the holes of an adjacent container in order that two
containers are interconnected. In order that the intended structure
shown in Young fit snugly together, close tolerances between the
holes and projections are required. These close tolerances are
important so that the assembled containers stay together when
subjected to the abuses of small children. It is not economical to
manufacture such containers with precise dimensions, especially
since the food within the containers, and not the containers
themselves, are the primary product. Therefore, the connection
parts fit loosely together resulting in containers that do not stay
fitted together, much to the disappointment of small children.
Pinkau et al 4,067,475 discloses a container assembly system using
a projection and recess system. Each container utilizes a
peripheral bead at the end of a flat edge as the projection
component. The container has a base support which contains a slot
that opens into a round recess. The bead of one container fits into
the recess of another container and is held in place in only one
direction since the bead cannot slide out the slot. However, it is
impractical to manufacture a bead and recess to close tolerances to
ensure a tight fit between the recess and the bead. The forming and
cutting dies generally used to manufacture such containers in
volume do not retain close tolerances after repeated uses.
Therefore, even though the bead will not fit through the slot, the
bead can easily slide out of the recess, resulting in containers
not fitting snugly together, and susceptible to becoming
disconnected upon even casual handling.
Parker et al 3,303,965 describes plastic stackable containers. Each
container has a flange with an inner peripheral edge with recesses
and ribs at the bottom portion. The container fits within another
container by seating of the ribs of the upper container within the
inner peripheral edge of the flange of the lower container. The
stacking characteristics do not provide for building structures of
differing configurations and are designed for utilitarian purposes,
not as toys for small children. Importantly, the ribs fit loosely
into the inner edge. Therefore, the container system of Parker
consists of individual containers loosely stacked. The entire
system of Parker cannot be moved intact by picking up only one
container.
The above described prior art discloses containers which, when
fitted together, are loosely engaging. When the complementary
connection parts consist of projections and holes, it is
impractical and uneconomical to manufacture the parts to the
necessary close tolerances which would result in a tight or snug
fit between complementary parts. The resultant containers have
loosely engaging connection parts. The containers are easily
disconnected and toppled, much to the disappointment of small
children. The containers cannot be picked up and moved as a unit
without falling apart. Additionally, prior art containers cannot be
placed or constructed on their sides without the connection parts
disengaging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art
containers by providing a container having respective, mutually
engagable connecting parts at the top and bottom end of the
container which, when engaged with complementary connection parts
of another container, provides a resilient clamping force
therebetween. Further, the container has a top end having a
laterally extending annular flange and a bottom end. The flange and
bottom end of the container have the connecting parts which enable
a plurality of containers to be interconnected.
The connection parts are comprised of an opening or recesses and
complementary pegs. Preferably, the pegs and recesses are
respectively located at the bottom and top ends of the container
with the recesses located within the flange. A peg of one container
is inserted into a recess of an adjacent container, and a clamping
force is used to keep the peg engaged in the recess and prevent
inadvertent removal. The clamping force is provided by the
dimensional characteristics of the peg in relation to the recess,
at least a portion of the recess being smaller than the peg to
provide a clamping engagement with the peg. The recess can be
circular and closed, or arcuate and more than 180.degree.. The
clamping force is provided by the radial displacement or distortion
of the flange material adjacent the recess when the peg is inserted
in the recess. In this respect, the larger peg being inserted in
the smaller recess causes radial displacement or distortion of the
flange adjacent the recess, which thereby causes the clamping
force.
Preferably, at the entry point where the peg is first inserted into
the recess the peg is smaller than the recess in order that the peg
can slide easily into the recess. As the peg is slidably engaged
with the recess, the peg comes into contact with the recess to
cause distortion of the flange material and create the clamping
force. Clamping contact is provided by a portion of the peg being
larger than a complementary portion of the recess. This can be
accomplished, for example, by tapering either the side wall of the
peg or the recess or both.
Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided
a building assembly comprised of a plurality of containers. Each of
the containers has respective mutually engagable pegs and recesses
at the top and bottom of the container for engaging with another
container within the assembly. Adjacent containers are held
together by a resilient clamping force which is imparted by one
container to the other as the peg of the one container is inserted
into the recess of the other adjacent container.
The resilient clamping force in accordance with the present
invention provides a snug fit between adjacent containers. This
advantageously avoids having to rely on close tolerances between
interengageable container connection parts to obtain a tight fit.
The practical result is that the containers can be economically
produced in large volumes in that close tolerances are not
required. Furthermore, the clamping force assures a tight fit
between the connection parts in conjunction with repeated assembly
and disassembly of the containers, thus extending the useful life
thereof as a toy. Moreover, the clamping force enables a building
assembly of containers to have a structural integrity which can
withstand the abuses of small children, such as being pushed or
toppled, thus preventing the disappointment of children and the
aggravation of their parents.
Thus, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an
improved arrangement of interconnecting parts between two
containers which enables a plurality of containers to be snugly
interengaged so as to construct a tower or the like.
It is another object of the invention to provide containers with
interconnecting parts which snugly fit together and which, when
assembled, have structural integrity against separation when pushed
or toppled by small children.
Still another object of the invention is to provided containers of
the foregoing character which can be manufactured more economically
than heretofore possible.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
container having interconnection parts which can be manufactured
with large tolerances, whereby the containers can be manufactured
economically, yet provide for the interconnecting parts to tightly
fit together.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
container arrangement having mutually engaging connection parts, of
which one connection part provides a clamping force to the other
connection part so that adjacent containers fit snugly
together.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved container construction by which small children can more
enjoyably practice their coordination skills and exercise their
imagination.
Another object of the invention is to provide a container capable
of accommodating edible foodstuffs and having improved connecting
arrangements by which the containers, when empty, can be combined
with other empty containers to provide a building system for the
enjoyment and educational use of small children.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding
the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the
invention shown in the accompanying drawing which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view illustrating a container having
connecting parts according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the bottom of the container shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3
and showing one of the connection parts of the container;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3
and showing another of the connecting parts of the container;
FIG. 6 is a detail view in section showing the parts of FIGS. 4 and
5 interconnected;
FIG. 7 shows an assembly of a plurality of the containers;
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an alternative embodiment of one of
the connection components of a container according to the
invention;
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another embodiment of one of the
connector parts of a container according to the invention; and,
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG.
9.
FIG. 11 shows an alternate assembly of a plurality of the
containers.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the
purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only
and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a
container 10 having opposite ends defined by an upper edge 11 and a
bottom wall 12 connected by an annular side wall 13. The upper end
of container 10 has a square or rectangular peripheral flange 14
which extends radially outwardly from upper edge 11. The peripheral
flange 14 is parallel to bottom wall 12.
As seen in FIGS. 1-3 of this embodiment, container 10 has a
generally circular cross sectional configuration. Container 10 is
wider at peripheral flange 14 than at bottom wall 12, and open end
15 of container 10 preferably is wider than bottom 12 for allowing
easy access to the foodstuffs within the container. Bottom wall 12
provides a closed end for containment of foods within container 10,
and both bottom wall 12 and peripheral flange 14 provide surfaces
by which the container can sit on an underlying support, thus
providing a more stable container 10 with which other containers
may be assembled as will become apparent hereinafter.
Peripheral flange 14 is further defined by an upper side 16 and a
lower side 17, the upper side 16 extending from upper edge 11 and
lower side 17 extending from annular side wall 13. Flange sides 16,
17 of flange 14 terminate at an outer peripheral edge 18 which is
perpendicular to sides 16, 17. The edge 18 is further defined by
corner edge portions 21 which are at right angles to peripheral
edge 18. Peripheral flange 14 further includes four recesses 22,
each of which defines one of the connection parts in accordance
with the present invention. Each recess 22 is located between two
peripherally adjacent corner edge portions 21 of flange 14. Each
recess 22 shown has a circular contour and is of open C-shape with
each end of the "C" connected to a corresponding corner edge
portion 21. Recesses 22 are thus located at the corners of flange
14, open outwardly thereof and form peripherally opposed finger
portions 23 at the open ends thereof. The C-shape of recesses 22 is
best shown at FIG. 3. Each recess 22 has an arcuate wall 24 between
sides 16 and 17 of flange 14 and having an angular extent which is
greater than 180.degree. to form finger portions 23. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, recess walls 24 are tapered. More
particularly, walls 24 taper inwardly from upper side 16 to lower
side 17 of flange 14 whereby the recess has a minor diameter y at
side 17, for the purpose set forth hereinafter, and a major
diameter d at side 16. This configuration of recess 22 and opposed
fingers 23 provides both a containing force and a clamping force to
receive and hold a complementary connection part on another
container as will be described in detail hereinafter.
The second connection part in this embodiment is a cylindrical peg
which will snugly fit within recess 22 as will be described
hereinafter. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, four pegs 25 extend from bottom
wall 12 of container 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the four pegs are
located on bottom wall 12 in diametrically opposed pairs. The pegs
25 are arranged so that a plurality of containers 10 can be
interconnected as shown in FIG. 7 and described in greater detail
hereinafter.
As seen in FIG. 4, peg 25 is preferably a solid projection integral
with bottom wall 12 of container 10. It will of course be
understood that peg 25 could be a hollow projection. Peg 25
includes a cylindrical side wall 32 which has a diameter x between
terminal end 26 and flange end 27 thereof and which diameter is at
least greater than minor diameter y of recesses 22. Preferably, the
peg has a tapered portion 33 between side 32 and terminal end 26,
whereby the diameter z of terminal end 26 is smaller than diameter
x for the purpose described hereinafter. While side 32 is shown as
cylindrical, it will be appreciated that peg 25 may have a tapering
side 32 extending between flange end 27 and tapered portion 33.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, a recess 22 is shown prior to and after
interengagement with a peg 25 in the manner required for two of
containers 10 to be interconnected. Since recess diameter y is less
than peg diameter x, when peg 25 is inserted within recess 22 as
shown in FIG. 6, recess side 24 will come into contact with side 32
of peg 25 and radially outwardly distend the recess, whereby the
resiliency of the plastic material will provide a resilient
clamping force which serves to grip and hold peg 25 within recess
22. Tapered portion 33 mentioned above assures ease with respect to
inserting the larger peg in the smaller recess 22. The diameter z
at terminal end 26 can be any diameter smaller than diameter x and,
because of tapered portion 33, diameter x can be greater than major
diameter d of the recess so long as the diameter z of end 26 is
less than major diameter d of the recess. This allows initial
engagement between peg 25 and recess 22 to assure radial distention
of the recess free of any interference which would prevent sliding
movement of the peg into the recess. More particularly in this
respect, as terminal end 26 and tapered portion 33 slide into
recess 22, peg side 32 engages tapered recess wall 24 and distends
the recess to the extent that the diameter of peg side 32 and
recess side 24 are equal. Thus, recess 22 radially expands due to
the pressure peg 25 imposes on recess side 24 creating an elastic
clamping force on peg 25.
Recess 22 is able to expand because the recess is open to
peripheral edge 18. Specifically, finger portions 23 elastically
open to allow the larger peg 25 to enter the smaller recess 22. The
clamping force provided by finger portions 23 on peg 25 prevents
easy or unintentional disengagement of assembled containers 10 from
each other.
Moreover, the open C-shape of recess 22 provides for peg 25 to be
displaced laterally into the recess between opposed fingers 23. At
the same time, the fact that the arcuate extent of the C-shaped
recess is greater than 180.degree. enables recess 22 to clampingly
hold a projection within the confines of recess side 24 so that peg
25 cannot easily slide out of recess 22 laterally.
It will be appreciated that containers 10 can be manufactured of
any material as long as the material allows for elastic expansion
when peg 25 is placed in recess 22 and engaged therein and has a
resiliency which will impose a clamping force to grip peg 25.
FIG. 7 shows a container assembly comprising a plurality of
containers 10 stacked with recesses 22 engaging pegs 25 of adjacent
containers. It will be appreciated that additional containers can
be added to those shown in FIG. 7 in order to create a large
building assembly comprised of numerous containers 10. The building
assembly can also be inverted 180.degree. whereby the containers
are resting on pegs 25 and not flanges 14 as shown or, likewise,
the containers may be arranged 90.degree. from the orientation
shown in FIG. 7. Since a clamping force is imposed upon each peg 25
by the expansion of recess 22, a building assembly placed on its
side or alternatively pushed over on its side, will not readily
come apart.
FIG. 11 shows an alternate container assembly from that shown in
FIG. 7. The three containers can be interlinked in the shown
lateral arrangement. Two containers may be inverted wherein the
pegs 25 and recesses 22 of at least one container are both
interlinked with the corresponding peg 25 and recess 22 of an
adjacent container. It will be appreciated that additional
containers can be added to those shown in FIG. 11.
Another embodiment of connecting components in accordance with the
invention is shown in FIG. 8 in which two notches 50 and 51 are
located adjacent to recess 22 in flange 14 to provide finger
portions 23'. The notches 50, 51 are open to outer peripheral edge
18 and are defined by three sides 52, 53 and 54. Notch sides 54
provide finger portions 23' with an outer edge opposite the
adjacent inner portion of recess side 24. The distance between
notch side 54 and the adjacent recess side 24 is less then the
diameter of recess 22. Thus, finger portions 23' in this embodiment
can more easily elastically expand than the finger portions
described in the first embodiment.
As peg 25 is inserted into recess 22 and engages therewith, finger
portions 23' will open laterally to occupy the space of notches 50,
51. This displacement takes place because finger portions 23' are
more elastically displaceable than they would be without notches
50, 51. This embodiment is desirable, for example, where heavier
gage or less resilient plastic is used in the manufacture of
containers 10 and increased resilience is therefore desired or
necessary to enable a small child to join the parts. The embodiment
further increases the allowable tolerance for manufacture of both
pegs 25 and recesses 22 in comparison with the first embodiment,
since the differential size between recess 22 and peg 25 can be
greater.
Further, the addition of notches 50, 51 within flange 14 can
increase the magnitude of the clamping forces which can be applied
to a peg. All else being equal with respect to the component parts
of the first embodiment and the present embodiment, a peg 25
inserted in recess 22 bounded by notches 50, 51 is subject to a
smaller clamping force than would be applied to peg 25 inserted in
recess 22 shown in FIG. 3, since finger portions 23' shown in FIG.
8 are more easily spread and are more elastic than finger portions
23 shown in FIG. 3. However, peg 25 in the present embodiment can
have a greater diameter than peg 25 in the first embodiment and
thereby force finger portions 23' to be spread wider than with the
smaller diameter peg. The increased spreading increases the return
bias of the fingers and, in this manner, the clamping forces
provided on peg 25 can be increased.
A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9
and 10 in which a corner portion of a container flange 14 is shown
with a circular opening 60. As shown in FIG. 9, opening 60 is
located within flange 14 and is not open to peripheral edge 18 as
in previous embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, flange 14 has
diametrically opposed expansion slots 61, 62 located substantially
adjacent and concentric to opening 60. Separating expansion slots
61, 62 from opening 60 are flange portions 63 and 64, respectively.
When a peg 25 of larger diameter than that of opening 60 is
inserted within the opening, the opening will deform radially
outwardly by moving flange portions 63, 64 into the space defining
expansion slots 61, 62, thus imposing a clamping force on the peg.
Slots 61, 62 are shown concentric but need only be concomitant to
opening 60. Preferably, as shown, opening 60 is concentric with
respect to both the inside arc 66 and the outside arc 67 of slots
61, 62. The two expansion slots are within flange 14 in order to
allow diametrically opposed expansion of opening 60. However, the
necessary expansion to obtain the desired clamping force will still
result if only one, or more than two, expansion slots are
provided.
As shown in FIG. 10, and like the previous embodiments, peg 25 has
a diameter x while opening 60 has a major diameter d and a minor
diameter of y. In this embodiment, opening 60 has a cylindrical
inside periphery 65 providing major diameter d and a radially
inwardly extending lip portion 72 at the lower end of inner
periphery 65 and providing minor diameter y. With lip 72 located
within opening 60, peg 25 need not engage inside periphery 65 to
create a clamping force. Instead, peg 25 engages lip portion 72 to
cam flange portions 63, 64 into slots 61, 62 expanding opening 60
laterally outwardly. It is not necessary that lip portion 72 extend
around the entire inside periphery 65 of opening 60. It is
sufficient if a lip portion is placed along a portion of inside
periphery 65 of opening 60 corresponding to slots 61, 62. It will
be appreciated that a lip corresponding to lip portion 72 may be
incorporated in any of the previous embodiments described herein
and that the recesses in the previous embodiments can be contoured
to provide a cylindrical inner side and lip portion rather than the
tapered contour shown in the drawings.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred
embodiments. Obviously modifications and alterations will occur to
others upon the reading and understanding of this specification.
For example, it is contemplated that flange 14, shown as a square
on the drawings, may be circular or any other geometric shape
having diametrically opposed pairs of recesses or openings
thereabout. Additionally, the number and shape of the recesses and
openings may vary, as well as the number and shape of the pegs, and
the locations thereof on the container. In this respect, the pegs,
openings and recesses may take alternate shapes from circular
shapes shown in the drawings as long as the shapes are
complementary and cooperate to provide a clamping force on the peg
when the peg is inserted within the opening or recess.
Additionally, peg 25 can be tapered and the inner side of the
recess can be cylindrical to provide a clamping force.
Additionally, by appropriate dimensioning, the clamping force can
be provided by a tapered peg and tapered recess.
It will also be appreciated that container 10 can also include a
flange similar to flange 14 at bottom wall 12. Such a flange would
provide a greater surface area at the bottom end on which the
container sits thus providing a more stable container. A flange at
the bottom of the container could be provided with pegs projecting
upwardly and/or downwardly therefrom for fitting into recesses or
openings in a flange 14 located at the open end of the container
and thus increasing the versatility with respect to assembling a
plurality of containers. Further in connection with such
versatility, each flange at the top and bottom could include both
pegs and recesses and/or openings.
It is intended to include such modifications and alterations as
described above and others in so far as they come within the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *